(1) One of the "uttermost cities" of Judah "toward the border of Edom in the South" (Joshua 15:23). Possibly it is to be identified with KADESH-BARNEA (which see); otherwise it is strange that this latter should be omitted from the list. Dillmann would identify it with Kadus, to the South of Hebron, mentioned by Muqaddasi.

(2) A town in the territory of Issachar, given to the Gershonite Levites (1 Chronicles 6:72). In the list of Joshua (21:28) its place is taken by KISHION (which see). Conder suggests identification with Tell Abu Qades, near Megiddo.

(3) Kedesh-naphtali, the famous city of refuge in the uplands of Naphtali. It is called "Kedesh," simply, in Joshua 12:22, etc.; Kedesh-naphtali in Judges 4:6; Tobit 1:2; Kedesh in Galilee in Joshua 20:7, etc. It was assigned to the Gershonite Levites (1 Chronicles 6:76). From the name "holy," we gather that it was a sanctuary from old time. It was therefore a place of asylum, and only preserved its ancient character in this respect when chosen as one of the cities of refuge. It was the home of Barak, and here his host assembled. When the Assyrians invaded the land under Tiglath-pileser, it was among the first cities to be captured, and its inhabitants were deported (2 Kings 15:29). Near Kedesh was fought the great battle between Jonathan the Maccabee and Demetrius (1 Maccabees 11:63;). Josephus says that in his time it belonged to the Tyrians, lying between their land and that of Galilee (Ant., XIII, v, 6; B J, II, xviii, 1; IV, ii, 3, etc.). Eusebius, Onomasticon places it 20 miles from Tyre, near to Paneas. It is represented by the modern village of Kedes, which lies on the plateau to the West of el-Chuleh. It crowns a tell which runs out in a low ridge into the little plain to the West. Near the fountain, which rises under the ridge to the North, are the most interesting of the ancient remains. There are many fine sarcophagi, some of them being used as watering-troughs. From its lofty situation, Kedesh commanded a spacious view over a richly varied landscape, With smiling cornfields, and hills clothed with oak and terebinth.

W. Ewing

KEDESH (2)

(1 Maccabees 11:63, 73, Codex Alexandrinus, Kedes; the King James Version Cades): Scene of a battle between Judas Maccabeus and the forces of Demetrius.

Of the Cities of Refuge.... as two ranks of vines are in a vineyard: Hebron in Judea against Bezer in the wilderness: Shechem in mount Ephraim against Ramoth in Gilead: Kedesh in mount .../.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 50 of the cities.htm

Six Cities... believer's ear! It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds, And drives away his fear.". [Illustration: Kedesh]. First City"Kedesh. If you .../.../macduff/the cities of refuge or the name of jesus/ii six cities.htm

The Cities of Refuge... then shall the slayer return, and come unto his own city, and unto his own house, unto the city from whence he fled.7. And they appointed Kedesh in Galilee in .../.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the cities of refuge.htm

The Six Cities.... "And they appointed Kedesh in Galilee in mount Naphtali, and Shechem in mount Ephraim, and Kirjath-arba, which is Hebron, in the mountain of Judah. .../.../macduff/the cities of refuge or the name of jesus/ii the six cities.htm

The Gospel Refuge.... I shall repeat their names once more, that you may remember them. KEDESH, Holiness. SHECHEM, Shoulder. HEBRON, Fellowship. BEZER, Stronghold. .../.../macduff/the cities of refuge or the name of jesus/iii the gospel refuge.htm

The Cities of Refuge.... These cities were six in number: Kedesh, Shechem, and Kirjath-arba, on the west of Jordan; and Bezer, Ramoth, and Golan, on the east of that river. .../.../anonymous/mother stories from the old testament/the cities of refuge.htm

Gilgal, in Deuteronomy 11:30 what the Place Was.... For when, in Joshua, some kings of certain particular cities in Galilee"Kedesh, Jokneam, Dor, &c."are reckoned up, the king of the nations of Gilgal, or .../.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 88 gilgal in deuteronomy.htm

Covenanting Provided for in the Everlasting Covenant.... The cities of refuge[412]"Kedesh, a holy place: Hebron, society, friendship, the end of a covenant: Shechem, a part or portion, as the lot of a covenant .../.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter vi covenanting provided for.htm

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Kedesh

(a sanctuary).

In the extreme south of Judah, (Joshua 15:23) same as Kadesh and Kadesh-barnea.

A city of Issachar, allotted to the Gershonite Levites. (1 Chronicles 6:72) The Kadesh mentioned among the cities whose kings were slain by Joshua, (Joshua 12:22) in company with Megiddo and Jokneam of Carmel, would seem to have been this city of Issachar.

Kedesh; also Kedesh in Galilee; and once, (Judges 4:6) Kedesh-naphtali, one of the fortified cities of the tribe of Naphtali, named between Hazor and Edrei, (Joshua 19:37) appointed as a city of refuge, and allotted with its "suburbs" to the Gershonite Levites. (Joshua 20:7; 21:32; 1 Chronicles 6:76) It was the residence of Barak, (Judges 4:6) and there he and Deborah assembled the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali before the conflict, being probably, as its name implies, a "holy place" of great antiquity. It was taken by Tiglath-pileser in the reign of Pekah. (2 Kings 15:29) It is identified with the village Kades , which lies four miles to the northwest of the upper part of the Sea of Merom.

ATS Bible Dictionary

Kedesh

1. A city of refuge, in Naphtali; now Kedis, three miles northwest of lake Merom, Joshua 19:37; 20:7. Barak the judge of Israel was born there, Jud 4:6

(3.) A "fenced city" of Naphtali, one of the cities of refuge (Joshua 19:37; Judges 4:6). It was assigned to the Gershonite Levites (Joshua 21:32). It was originally a Canaanite royal city (Joshua 12:22), and was the residence of Barak (Judges 4:6); and here he and Deborah assembled the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali before the commencement of the conflict with Sisera in the plain of Esdraelon, "for Jehovah among the mighty" (9, 10). In the reign of Pekah it was taken by Tiglath-Pileser (2 Kings 15:29). It was situated near the "plain" (rather "the oak") of Zaanaim, and has been identified with the modern Kedes, on the hills fully four miles north-west of Lake El Huleh.

It has been supposed by some that the Kedesh of the narrative, where Barak assembled his troops, was not the place in Upper Galilee so named, which was 30 miles distant from the plain of Esdraelon, but Kedish, on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, 12 miles from Tabor.

Thesaurus

Kedesh (12 Occurrences)... It has been supposed by some that the Kedesh of the narrative, where Barak assembled his troops, was not the place in Upper Galilee so named, which was 30 .../k/kedesh.htm - 14k

Barak (14 Occurrences)... and Gibil-Birqu (Del. Assyrian, HWB, 187). Barak was the son of Abinoam of Kedesh, a refuge city in Mt. Naphtali. He was summoned .../b/barak.htm - 14k

Naph'tali (47 Occurrences)... Joshua 20:7 And they set apart Kedesh in Galilee in the hill-country of Naphtali, and Shechem in the hill-country of Ephraim, and Kiriath-arba--the same is .../n/naph'tali.htm - 18k

Joshua 20:7 They set apart Kedesh in Galilee in the hill country of Naphtali, Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim, and Kiriath Arba (the same is Hebron) in the hill country of Judah.(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Joshua 21:32 Out of the tribe of Naphtali, Kedesh in Galilee with its suburbs, the city of refuge for the manslayer, Hammothdor with its suburbs, and Kartan with its suburbs; three cities.(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Judges 4:6 She sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedesh Naphtali, and said to him, "Hasn't Yahweh, the God of Israel, commanded,'Go and draw to Mount Tabor, and take with you ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun?(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Judges 4:9 She said, "I will surely go with you: nevertheless, the journey that you take shall not be for your honor; for Yahweh will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman." Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh.(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Judges 4:10 Barak called Zebulun and Naphtali together to Kedesh; and there went up ten thousand men at his feet: and Deborah went up with him. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Judges 4:11 Now Heber the Kenite had separated himself from the Kenites, even from the children of Hobab the brother-in-law of Moses, and had pitched his tent as far as the oak in Zaanannim, which is by Kedesh.(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Kings 15:29 In the days of Pekah king of Israel came Tiglath Pileser king of Assyria, and took Ijon, and Abel Beth Maacah, and Janoah, and Kedesh, and Hazor, and Gilead, and Galilee, all the land of Naphtali; and he carried them captive to Assyria.(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Chronicles 6:72 and out of the tribe of Issachar, Kedesh with its suburbs, Daberath with its suburbs,(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Chronicles 6:76 and out of the tribe of Naphtali, Kedesh in Galilee with its suburbs, and Hammon with its suburbs, and Kiriathaim with its suburbs.(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)